Citizenship Will Be Key to Any Immigration Bill, Reid Says

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said a path to citizenship for people not legally in the country will be a requirement for advancing an immigration overhaul.

The Nevada Democrat laid down the marker while speaking to reporters at his home in Searchlight, Nev.,the Las Vegas Sun reported Friday. Reid was adamant that an immigration package include provisions beyond merely granting undocumented immigrants a form of legal status short of full citizenship.

“There will be nothing done in my Senate ... without a pathway to citizenship,” Reid said.

Reid reiterated that he was supportive of the work being done by Sens. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y., and John McCain, R-Ariz., and others on developing a legislative package. Many House Republicans have concerns about including any citizenship language in an immigration package — some derisively call it amnesty. House Judiciary Chairman Robert W. Goodlatte of Virginia is among the Republicans cool to the citizenship concept. Goodlatte’s panel would craft any House bill.